FAQs
(frequently asked questions)
about
“MRSA”
(Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus)
What is MRSA?
Staphylococcus aureus (pronounced staff-ill-oh-KOK-us AW-ree-us), or
“Staph” is a very common germ that about 1 out of every 3 people have
on their skin or in their nose. This germ does not cause any problems for
most people who have it on their skin. But sometimes it can cause serious
infections such as skin or wound infections, pneumonia, or infections of
the blood.
Antibiotics are given to kill Staph germs when they cause infections. Some
Staph are resistant, meaning they cannot be killed by some antibiotics.
“Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus” or “MRSA” is a type of Staph
that is resistant to some of the antibiotics that are often used to treat
Staph infections.
Who is most likely to get an MRSA infection?
In the hospital, people who are more likely to get an MRSA infection are
people who:
• have other health conditions making them sick
• have been in the hospital or a nursing home
• have been treated with antibiotics.
People who are healthy and who have not been in the hospital or a nursing home can also get MRSA infections. These infections usually involve
the skin. More information about this type of MRSA infection, known as
“community-associated MRSA” infection, is available from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa
How do I get an MRSA infection?
People who have MRSA germs on their skin or who are infected with
MRSA may be able to spread the germ to other people. MRSA can be
passed on to bed linens, bed rails, bathroom fixtures, and medical equipment. It can spread to other people on contaminated equipment and on
the hands of doctors, nurses, other healthcare providers and visitors.
Can MRSA infections be treated?
Yes, there are antibiotics that can kill MRSA germs. Some patients with
MRSA abscesses may need surgery to drain the infection. Your healthcare
provider will determine which treatments are best for you.
What are some of the things that hospitals are doing to prevent MRSA
infections?
To prevent MRSA infections, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare
providers:
• Clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub
before and after caring for every patient.
• Carefully clean hospital rooms and medical equipment.
• Use Contact Precautions when caring for patients with MRSA. Contact
Precautions mean:
o Whenever possible, patients with MRSA will have a single room or
will share a room only with someone else who also has MRSA.
o Healthcare providers will put on gloves and wear a gown over their
clothing while taking care of patients with MRSA.
Co-sponsored by:
o Visitors may also be asked to wear a gown and gloves.
o When leaving the room, hospital providers and visitors remove their
gown and gloves and clean their hands.
o Patients on Contact Precautions are asked to stay in their hospital
rooms as much as possible. They should not go to common areas,
such as the gift shop or cafeteria. They may go to other areas of the
hospital for treatments and tests.
• May test some patients to see if they have MRSA on their skin. This test
involves rubbing a cotton-tipped swab in the patient’s nostrils or on the
skin.
What can I do to help prevent MRSA infections?
In the hospital
• Make sure that all doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers clean
their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub before
and after caring for you.
If you do not see your providers clean their hands,
please ask them to do so.
When you go home
• If you have wounds or an intravascular device (such as a catheter or
dialysis port) make sure that you know how to take care of them.
Can my friends and family get MRSA when they visit me?
The chance of getting MRSA while visiting a person who has MRSA is
very low. To decrease the chance of getting MRSA your family and friends
should:
• Clean their hands before they enter your room and when they leave.
• Ask a healthcare provider if they need to wear protective gowns and
gloves when they visit you.
What do I need to do when I go home from the hospital?
To prevent another MRSA infection and to prevent spreading MRSA to
others:
• Keep taking any antibiotics prescribed by your doctor. Don’t take halfdoses or stop before you complete your prescribed course.
• Clean your hands often, especially before and after changing your
wound dressing or bandage.
• People who live with you should clean their hands often as well.
• Keep any wounds clean and change bandages as instructed until healed.
• Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors.
• Wash and dry your clothes and bed linens in the warmest temperatures
recommended on the labels.
• Tell your healthcare providers that you have MRSA. This includes home
health nurses and aides, therapists, and personnel in doctors’ offices.
• Your doctor may have more instructions for you.
If you have questions, please ask your doctor or nurse.